42- Baby’s First Christmas
Beth Giran walked down the aisle in a barn, stopping at a stall. She motioned for Dominick to come over.
“What do you think about this one?” she asked. The pony inside was a dappled grey, and he had mischievous eyes. Dominick smiled.
“Let’s keep him in mind. His eyes remind of Colleen.” She nodded, continuing on her way. They stopped several more times, and then Dominick stopped to stare at a young gelding. The animal was already tall and muscular, and his eyes held a deep intelligence. Dominick glanced at his wife, who was walking down the aisle. He motioned for a man to join him at the door, and began talking prices.
Colleen and Seneca were playing in the deep snow when their parents got home. Both children ran to their mother’s side, each grabbing one leg.
“Guess what Mommy, I got to ride today!” Colleen exclaimed. Seneca held his arms up, signaling he wanted to be held.
“Did you really?” Beth asked, picking the boy up. Dominick grabbed Colleen and they started toward the house. When they got to the front door they could hear Abby crying.
“I’ll go help with Abby,” Dominick said, putting Colleen down and going upstairs. Beth took Colleen’s hand and led her into the front hallway.
“Were you guys good for Gram today?” she asked Colleen.
“Yup, just ask her,” she said, moving toward the living room.
“Both of you sit right here so I can get these wet clothes off. You two are soaked!” They both giggled, but sat still while their mother pulled off the wet snow clothes. When she was done she hung them over the heating vent, then ushered both upstairs. “Time for a warm bath, then it’ll be dinner time,” she said. She started running their bath while they put their bathrobes on.
“Can I play in my room until the bath is ready?” Colleen asked. Beth nodded, watching as the little girl raced from the room. Seneca followed, his chubby little legs moving as fast as they could.
“Wait Leen!” he called, unable to pronounce Colleen. Beth smiled, shaking her head slowly. She put some bubble bath into the tub, then went to check on Dominick and Abby. Cotey was standing with him, and they were talking quietly. When they noticed Beth at the door, they stopped talking abruptly.
“Hey hon, how’re the kids?” Dominick asked cheerfully. Beth glanced back and forth between them and smiled.
“They’re fine. I’m running their bath now. How’s Abby?” she questioned.
“Great. I think she’s a little hungry. Why don’t’ you go get her a bottle?”
“OK. I’ll be right back. Keep an ear out for Colleen and Seneca, I don’t want them near the tub until I’m there,” she said, turning and starting out.
“OK, I’ll make sure!” he called. Beth sighed, still wondering what her husband and mother-in-law were up to.
On Christmas Ever Dominick, Beth, Colleen, Seneca, and Abby all drove over to Dominick’s parents’ house. When they arrived, Beth’s parents were already there. Beth smiled, hugging her parents tightly.
“Where’re Rachel and Jim?” Beth asked. Cotey smiled and glanced at Sam.
“She is at the hospital, giving birth to her first baby. Jim called and told me that we should all stay here, He’ll call when he knows what’s going on.”
“That’s so wonderful! I wish she hadn’t moved all the way to Virginia… I wish I could be there with her,” Beth said. Dominick squeezed her hand gently.
“Relax honey, she’ll be fine. Let’s go into the living room and relax for awhile,” he said. Colleen and Seneca were sitting in front of the Christmas tree already, staring at the presents.
“Guys, you should go play for awhile. We’re not opening presents until eight o’clock,” Cotey said. Colleen sighed, tugging on Seneca’s hand.
“Come on Sen, let’s go play in the attic. It’s going to be a long time before we get to open presents,” she said huffily. Beth grinned, watching as the little girl stomped from the room, dragging her two year old brother behind her.
“They’re a pair,” Sam muttered. Beth nodded, leaning against Dominick’s shoulder.
“They sure are,” they agreed at the same time.
Beth carried Abby upstairs and Dominick carried Colleen and Seneca. It was almost midnight, and they had just arrived home. Beth laid the tiny girl down on her changing table and got out a pair of warm winter pajamas. She changed her clothes carefully, then laid her in the crib gently.
“Night sweetheart, sleep tight,” she whispered. She turned on the baby intercom, then pulled the door partially shut. She went into Seneca’s room, placing a kiss on his forehead, and then went to Colleen’s room. Dominick had just finished zipping up the little girls’ red footy pajamas, and was pulling the covers up around her.
“I think we’re going to have a bunch of grumps in the morning,” he said, putting an arm around Beth’s waist.
“Maybe not in the morning, but by dinner time we will. Come on, Santa needs to start making his rounds,” she murmured. He smiled and followed her downstairs.
The next morning Colleen and Seneca still weren’t awake at nine. Beth and Dominick awoke early and sat in front of the fireplace.
“When should we wake them?” she asked, leaning against him as they watched the fire. He grinned.
“Never?” he suggested. She laughed, looking up at him and kissing his cheek.
“That’s not a good idea. We have to be at my parents’ house at one for dinner. If they don’t get up now we won’t have time to do anything,” she said as she started to stand up. He laughed, pulling her back against his chest.
“Kiss me before you go,” he murmured. It was her turn to laugh, but she kissed him anyway.
“I’ll be back,” she promised.
“It could take forever,” he said seriously. She rolled her eyes and jogged upstairs. Moments later he heard her scream.
“Dominick! Dominick come quick!” she yelled. He raced up the stairs, skidding to a stop when he saw Abby in her arms.
“Oh God,” he murmured. The little girl was bright red, her breathing slow and labored. He grabbed the baby and raced downstairs. Beth followed.
“I’ll call my parents,” she said, pulling on her coat at the same time. Dominick nodded, putting his coat over Abby, handing her to Beth, and starting for the front door.
“I’ll go start the car,” he replied. She nodded, picking up the phone and dialing quickly.
At the hospital Dominick and Beth paced back and forth, still waiting for news on Abby.
“Mr. and Mrs. Giran?” a voice asked. They turned, looking expectantly at the doctor.
“Yes?” they asked in the same voice. The man sighed, sitting down in one of the uncomfortable lounge chairs.
“Your daughter has tuberculosis. She’s quite a sick little girl,” he told them seriously.
“How sick?” Dominick demanded, putting his arm around Beth’s shoulders. She was trying very hard not to cry.
“Tuberculosis is a horrible disease. There’s a chance that she could die, but we’re doing everything we can to prevent that,” he said.
“What are you doing for her?” Beth managed to whisper.
“We’re giving her lots of antibiotics and trying to control her fever. Did you notice any symptoms before?”
“She’s had a cold off and on for a little while… a little cough, but nothing too serious. All babies get colds,” Dominick said.
“She’s probably had this in a dormant stage for quite some time. It takes tuberculosis a long time to show itself. We’ll do all that we can to help her.”
“Can we see her?” Beth asked. The man nodded.
“Come with me,” he said. Both followed, Dominick holding the door for his wife as they entered a small room. The doctor led them to a small, plastic cubicle that held a small plastic cart. Abby was inside, monitors hooked to her chest. A small IV went into her arm and a heart monitor was beeping steadily. Beth grabbed Dominick’s arm, feeling lightheaded. He supported her fully, putting an arm around her waist.
“It’s alright honey, she’s going to be fine,” he assured her. She nodded, but hadn’t really heard him. Her eyes were glued to the tiny girl, and tears were slipping slowly down her cheeks.
When Beth and Dominick finally got home, Seneca and Colleen were already asleep. Jess and Jason looked up from the kitchen table, both looking exhausted.
“How is she?” Jess demanded. Beth sighed, shaking her head and starting to cry again. Dominick wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. He looked at the Christmas tree, and all the unopened presents.
“She has tuberculosis,” he said. Jess sighed.
“Is she going to be alright?” Jason asked. Dominick shrugged, rubbing Beth’s back gently.
“They aren’t sure. She’s going to be in the hospital for awhile until they get everything under control. Then she’ll be an out-patient for six months to a year,” he explained.
“We’re sorry kids. She’ll be ok though, I know it,” Jess said. Jason nodded.
“Absolutely. We need to get going… tomorrow’s an early day. Are you still going to be able to help me tomorrow at the track Dom?” Jason asked.
“Yeah. I’ll be there at four thirty. The kids are staying with my parents tomorrow.” Jess gave them both a kiss on the cheek, then followed her husband out the door. Dominick took Beth’s hand and led her upstairs.
“What if she isn’t alright Dominick?” she asked, sitting down on the bed. He took off her shoes and looked up at her seriously.
“She’s going to be fine. We have to have faith in that. She’s going to pull through and be perfectly fine,” he assured her. She nodded.
“What about all the presents under the tree? When should we open them?”
“When Abby comes home,” he replied. She nodded, curling up on her side. Dominick snuggled up behind her and held her tightly as they drifted off to sleep.
Abby came home two months later. Colleen and Seneca were sitting by the Christmas tree, eagerly awaiting opening their presents.
“Can we start yet?” Colleen demanded excitedly. Beth nodded, handing each of them a present. They tore them open quickly, both smiling. Colleen had opened a new Breyer model of Man O’ War. Seneca had received a new Tonka truck. They opened all the presents under the tree, and then Dominick stood up.
“Colleen you have one more present,” he said. Colleen looked up at them.
“Where is it?” she demanded. Beth laughed.
“Go get dressed, then come down here. We’ll show you when you’re ready.” Colleen raced upstairs, with Seneca following close behind.
“Let’s get Abby and ourselves dressed,” Beth said.
“Good plan.” They both stood and went upstairs to get ready.
Dominick steered a blindfolded Colleen all over the farm before leading her to the barn. They stopped in front of a stall and Dominick took the blindfold off. When Colleen saw the dappled gray pony in the stall, she squealed and started jumping up and down.
“He’s mine?” she yelled. Her parents nodded and she squealed again. The pony looked at her with curious eyes, then reached out and nudged her. Colleen toppled over and glared up at the pony. Dominick and Beth started to laugh.
“Are you alright honey?” Beth asked. Colleen looked up at them and frowned.
“I don’t see what’s so funny,” she replied, standing and brushing herself off.
“Do you like your horse honey?” Dominick asked. Colleen nodded and gave the pony a pat.
“He’s awesome. What’s his name?”
“That’s up to you,” he replied.
“I think I’ll call him Mischief,” she said.
“Great name honey. We’ll move him down to the main barn later. Now it’s Mommy’s turn for a surprise,” he said. He took Abby from Beth and then handed her to Colleen.
“What are you doing?” she demanded. He shook his head and secured the blindfold on her head.
“Can you see anything.” He asked. She shook her head and frowned as he put his hands on her shoulders.
“Dom what are you doing?” she asked. He smiled, directing her toward another stall.
“You’ll see,” He replied. He stopped at a stall, and the black, three year old gelding stuck his head out. He untied the blindfold and she gasped.
“Dominick you shouldn’t have,” she whispered. He shrugged, putting his arms around her shoulders.
“But I did. He’s three years old, started over fences. They said he’s got a good prospect for dressage. He doesn’t have a name either,” he explained. She glanced at him.
“I’m going to kill you,” she whispered.
“Before or after you kiss me?” he asked. She laughed, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him. When she pulled away she looked at the horse for a long time.
“I’m going to call him I.Q,” she said.
“Good name honey, but why?”
“He looks like he’s a smart guy,” she said. Dominick nodded, and smiled as she took Abby back from Colleen.
“That’s why I bought him.” She smiled, glancing back at Colleen and Seneca. They were still standing at her pony’s stall, both smiling and laughing.
“Do you think Abby had a good Christmas?” Beth asked. Dominick nodded.
“Absolutely. She’s home and healthy. What about Colleen and Seneca? Do you think Christmas was better late than never?”
“I think so. They look pretty happy,” she said. They both smiled, looking down at their youngest daughter and then up at the older kids, a great sense of satisfaction and contentment filling their hearts.
